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Why in the News?
The melting of the Greenland ice sheet will unavoidably raise the global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches or 27 centimetres.
- This is because of ‘zombie ice’, which is certain to melt away from the ice cap and blend into the ocean.
Key Points:
What is ‘zombie ice’?
- Zombie ice is dead or doomed ice that is attached to thicker areas of ice and is no longer getting replenished by parent glaciers.
- The doomed ice is melting from climate change and will inevitably raise seas.
Formation of zombie ice:
- There is an equilibrium state where snowfall from the higher reaches of the Greenland ice cap flows down to recharge edges of the glaciers, and thicken them.
- Over the last several decades there has been more melting and less replenishment.
- This lead to the formation of Zombie ice.
Implication:
It will raise global sea levels by at least 10.6 inches.
Impact of raising sea levels:
- Floods, high tides, and storms are more frequent.
- Threat to local economies and infrastructure.
- Low-lying coastal areas will take a harder hit.
- Contaminate soil and groundwater with salt.
Threaten wildlife populations that live near shorelines.
Additional information:
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